AQUINO: CHINESE USED FIRE HOSES NOT WATER CANNONS AGAINST FILIPINO FISHERMEN

This is an excerpt from the report of the Manila Bulletin regarding statement by President Aquino that the Chinese used water hose and not water cannons. Netizens are angry with the connotation of the press conference that seems to suggest Pres. Aquino are fine with hose sprayed to Filipino fisherman and would react more if it was water cannons.

advertisement

(Fire hoses, not water cannons, were used recently on Filipino fishermen by Chinese coast guards in the Philippines’ Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, President Benigno S. Aquino III clarified.)

(The President said the government has already obtained the affidavits from the fishermen who were reportedly prohibited by a Chinese patrol ship from fishing in the shoal.

advertisement

The recent skirmish in Bajo de Masinloc was raised by Aquino in his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at his office in Putrajaya last Friday.

“I brought it up as part of our discussions before the expanded bilateral (meeting). I mentioned that there has been this reported recent issue again on Scarborough,” the President said in a media interview in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.)

(“Fire hose, not water cannon, was used based on the report I received. We have affidavits from the fishermen involved,” Aquino added.

The Philippines recently protested against China’s use of water cannonsto prevent Filipino fishermen from entering the disputed shoal in the South China Sea, contending that Bajo de Masinloc is an integral part of the Philippines. Manila likewise warned that the latest harassment of Filipino fishermen escalated the tension in the area, thus threatening peace and security in the region.)

(Beijing, however, rejected Manila’s protest, saying the Chinese patrol ships were just protecting China’s sovereignty and ensuring normal order.

In his meeting with Najib, the President said they agreed on a peaceful settlement of the disputes in the South China Sea.)

“We reiterated that we are for the settlement of our disputes under international law, specifically under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas), and which is also our position,” Aquino said.

READ THE REST OF THE NEWS HERE

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

WHILE FILIPINOS ARE BUSY OVER ELECTION, CHINESE NAVY SHIPS ARE OCCUPYING SOME OF THE CONTESTED AREA IN SPRATLY ISLANDS

China has stationed up to five ships around a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing traditional fishing grounds, ABS-CBN and Philstar and other media in the Philippines reported on Wednesday.

advertisement

According to media reports, around 5 Chinese vessels at Quirino (Jackson) Atoll, one of the islands contested in the South China prevented some Filipino fishermen access for fishing grounds on Wednesday. The tensions are rising over Chinese reclamations in the area, as well as the build up of patrols and military. The mayor of the Kalayaan Island said there are many Chinese ships in the Spratly area.

Philippine Military however are still verifying these reports if Chinese ships are moving around Spratly area and if it is permanent as there are also ships around Second Thomas Shoal. Fishermen complained as well that Chinese ships chased them away last week when they went nearby to for fishing. They said around 4 gray and white bearing China or Chinese flag prevented them from entering the usually fishing ground for all. 

advertisement
 

"Tensions have been building recently, with the United States and others protesting against Beijing's land reclamations on islands and reefs, and the recent deployment of surface-to-air missiles and fighter jets in the Paracel Islands.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter warned China on Tuesday against what he called "aggressive" actions in the region, saying there would be "specific consequences" to militarization of the South China Sea.

Beijing, for its part, has been angered by "freedom of navigation" air and sea patrols the United States has conducted near the islands it claims in the South China Sea and says it needs military facilities for its self defense."

UPDATE

Old video

Source

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO